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Rancho Primavera

A Bird-watcher’s Paradise in the tourist-friendly Central Pacific Coast of Mexico just south of Puerto Vallarta

FACT SHEET

ABOUT THE RANCH

Rancho Primavera is a quiet retreat just 1 hour south of Puerto Vallarta, but feels world’s away from the city life. Here, you’ll be treated like family by the owners -mother and daughter team, Pat and Bonnie – who are full time residents of the ranch and enjoy entertaining and cooking for their guests. They are bilingual Americans who’ve lived in Mexico for decades and who’ve raised their children here.

Mango trees in bloom

In 1996, Owners Pat and Bonnie purchased this former mango and cattle ranch and proceeded to heal its overgrazed lands by planting over 5000 native trees on the 200 acres and were quickly rewarded by a return of the native birds and wildlife. Nowadays, it’s a top destination for bird-watching groups and nature lovers.

LOCATION

Rancho Primavera is located on the central coast of Pacific Mexico, just 1 hour south of Puerto Vallarta, and 3 km from the small and charismatic Mexican town of El Tuito, which is at the center of the large peninsula known as Cabo Corrientes.

Non-stop flights are available from most major U.S. airports while one-stop connections are available from most major European cities. Rental cars are easily available and the mostly 2-lane roads are in good condition. Taxis and busses are also available and we can arrange to pick you up in the village of El Tuito.

LODGING

We offer two options for staying with us at Rancho Primavera; rental homes and guest rooms. Children and pets welcome!

RENTAL HOMES

We have three adjacent rental homes which overlook our pond where you can sit outside and watch the wildlife or take the rowboat or paddle boards out for a spin on the water.

Adobe Home has one bedroom with a king size bed, one full and one half bath, a fully equipped kitchen and a laundry room. The living room has two sofas which can also be used for sleeping.

Villa Carpintero Home has one bedroom with two full beds, two full baths, a fully equipped kitchen and the breakfast room that with its two extra-wide benches can be used as a sleeping area. The living room also has two sofas which can also be used for sleeping.

Casa Colibri is a smaller house with a queen-size bed, one full bath, a small kitchen and a wonderful porch for dining and bird-watching. It has a nice terrace for sun-bathing.

GUEST ROOMS

We have 5 rooms at the main ranch house for groups. The minimum stay is for 3 nights, minimum number of guests is 6, maximum is 10. We provide breakfast and dinners, while lunch is on your own with restaurants and markets available in nearby El Tuito.

BIRDING

Rancho Primavera is a bird-watcher’s paradise, with its restored woodlands, meadows, creeks and riparian areas supporting over 215 species of birds, including parrots, trogans, cuckoos and 16 types of hummingbirds! Birding tour groups regularly visit and cherish Rancho Primavera for its birdlife and solitude.

Over 300 species of birds can be found in this region of Mexico including over 19 regional endemics such as the Citreoline Trogan, Orange-breasted Bunting, Lilac-crowned Parrot and the Mexican Woodnymph.

Venturing farther afield, you can explore the greater Jalisco region which supports a wide array of birds in its many habitats including mountainous pine and oak forests, tropical deciduous dry forests, coastal thorn scrub, beaches, islands and mangrove estuaries.

SEASONS TO VISIT

November through March are the best months to visit when the days are warm and sunny and migrating birds are here. April and May are hot and dry; this is the breeding season for resident birds like the sought-after and easily viewed Trogan and Mot-mot. June through October can be hot, humid and rainy with only resident birds seen.